Mail-deliverer.



No. 831,306. A -PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906. G; SOUTHER.

MAIL DELIVERER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1906. v

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PATENTED SEPT. 18', 1906 e. SOUTHER.

MAIL DELIVERER.

, APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 8, 1906.

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I G. SOUTHER. MAIL DELIVERER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1906.

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PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906.

G. SOUTHER.

MAIL DELIVERER. APPLICATION FILED wuss. 1906.

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ITNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL-DELIVERER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

Application filed June 8, 1906. Serial No. 320,867.

To all whom it may concern' Be it known that I, GORDON SOUTHER, a citizen of the United States, residing near Constance, in the county of Boone and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MaiLDeliverers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides novel means for the automatic delivery of mail to and from moving trains at stations and other points along the route of a railway without subjecting the postal clerk to dangerous eXpo sure.

The invention contemplates a carriage, a track therefor, means for returning the carriage to normal position after it has received and delivered a package of mail, a trip mechanism for releasing a setting mechanism whereby the engaging device of the carriage is thrown into position to take up the mail placed in position to be delivered to the passing train, means for stripping the mail from the carriage, a swinging crane pivoted to the car and normally tending to swing outward, a lock mechanism for normally holding the crane within the car and adapted to be tripped by the carriage, a self-opening door and a lock therefor to normally hold the door closed and adapted to be released by the carriage.

For a full description of the invention and .the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side view of a mail-car provided with delivery mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention, also illustrating a crane for delivering mail to the passing train. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 00 as of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the carriage and a portion of the track upon which the carriage is mounted, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the relation of the carriage and the mail to be' delivered to the passing train prior to the transfer of such mail from the crane to the carriage. Fig. 5 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 4 after the carriage has received the mail and the car has passed the crane. Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line y y of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the carriage. Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the carriage and its supporting-track, a portion of the mail-engaging device being broken away. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the trip mechanism for releasing the door. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the support for normally sustaining the weight by means of which the carriage is returned to normal position and by means of which the engaging device is thrown into position to take up the mail to be delivered to the passing train. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the crane on the side of the track. Fig. 12 is adetail perspective view of the hook from which the mail-bag is suspended and which is adapted to be taken up by the engaging device of the carriage. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the crane and adjunctive parts mounted upon the car for delivering mail therefrom.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The mail-car 1 may be of any construction and is provided in its side with the usual opening 2, which is adapted to be closed by means of a door 3 of the sliding type and provided with means for automatically opening the same when not held in restraint. It is to be understood that the door 3 may be thrown open by any suitable means, and for this purpose a weight 4 is provided and is connected with the door by means of a cord or rope 5, passing over suitable direction-pulleys. To hold the door 3 close against the automatic opening means, a catch 6 projects therefrom and is engaged by a lock device 7 which consists of an elbow-lever, one member thereof engaging the catch 6 and the other member projecting into the path of the carriage to be tripped thereby, as shown most clearly in Fig. 9. The instant the door is released from the restraining or lock means it opens under the influence of the weight 4 or equivalent for.

meansthereby permitting the mail to be delivered either to or from the car to have free passage in each direction.

A track is provided. for the carriage to travel upon and comprises three parts 8, 9, and 10 and consists of upper and lower rails, between which the carriage is mounted, so as to prevent vertical displacement. The part 8 is located exterior to the car and is inclined to the horizontal in a rearward and downward direction. The part 10 is located upon the interior of the car and inclines in an opposite direction to the part 8that is, forwardly and downwardly. The part 9 curves around a jamb of the door-opening and connects the parts 8 and 10- and inclines from the part 8 toward the part 10. The track is continuous and of such relative inclination from the receiving to the delivery end as to enable the carriage to move thereon automatically under the influence of gravitative force when sustaining the weight of the mailbag or other package to be delivered to the interior of the car.

The carriage comprises side plates 11 and supporting-wheels 12, the latter being grooved in their peripheries to receive the members or rails of the track, so as to prevent lateral displacement of the carriage. The carriage is constructed to flex intermediate of its length, whereby provision is had for its passage around the curved portion 9 of the track. The end portions or sections of the carriage may be pivoted or hinged in any manner to admit of the flexing. Suitable means cooperate with the carriage and hold the same in a normal positionthat is, at the receiving end of the track and in position to take up the mail at the next station. For this purpose a weight 13 is employed and is connected with the carriage by means of a cord or rope 14, said weight being housed by means of a casing 15, which likewise forms a guide there- The cord or rope 14 passes through an opening 16 in a side of the car near the re ceiving end of the track, said opening being provided with rollers, so as offer the least resistance to the movement of the cord or rope when running through the opening. The weight 13 normally rests upon a stop 17,

which extends across the path thereof and is,

pivoted to a lever 18 and adapted to move upward out of the path of the weight, but yet prevent downward movement of the weight thereby. The lever 18 has the stop 17 con nected thereto by a rule-joint and has its lower end extended into the path of a trip 19, conveniently located at the station or other points where mail is to be delivered and which when set operates the lever 18 so as to withdraw the stop 17 from beneath the weight 13 and permit the latter to descend, so as to throw the engaging device 20 into the path of the hook 21 of the mail-bag or other package to be taken up by the passing train.

The engaging device 20 is preferably formed of a loop or link and has pivotal connection with the carriage at one side, as shown at 22, and normally lies close againstthe side of the carriage, being held in such position by means of a light spring 23. The cord or rope 14 is connected to the side of the loop or link remote from the side having pivotal or hinged connection with the carriage, so that when drawn upon it will tend to swing the loop or link outward into the path of the hook or like device 21. It is to be understood that the engaging device 20 has a limited swinging movement, which is determined by a suitable stop, thereby insuring its occupying a position to engage with the part 21 when set. A buffer 24 receives the shock or impact incident to the return of the carriage to normal position under the influence of the weight 18. This buffer may be of any construction and, as shown, comprises a rod mounted to slide in suitable keepers and having a cooperating spring mounted thereon.

The crane at the station or point along the railway from which mail is to be delivered to the passing train comprises a post 25, a stem 26, having adjustable connection with the post, a fork 27, pivoted to the stem 26, so as to be swung to a point either up or down the track and positioning devices applied to the fork 27. A steadying-arm 28 has connection with the clutch of the fork and is adapted to engage with the lower end of the mail-bag 29 to prevent lateral movement thereof by cur rents of air or from other cause. A pair of fingers 30 have connection with each fork member and are vertically spaced, so as to receive between them the hook 21, which is held in approximately horizontal position to be taken up by the device 20. The fingers 30 project about horizontally from the fork members and are preferably resilient, so as to grip the hook 21 lightly to prevent casual displacement yet admit of free movement of the hook when taken up by the engaging device 20. The mail-bag or other package is suspended from a member of the fork by the usual ring 31, to which the hook 21 is connected, said hook in turn being passed between the fingers 30, so as to be held in proper position to be taken up by the engaging device 20 when properly set.

The crane upon the car by means of which mail is delivered therefrom to the station or other point is mounted to swing and when unrestrained occupies the POSltlOILShOWIl in dotted lines in Fig. 2tnat is, projecting from the side of the car. Normally the crane occupies a position within the car, but when weighted at its outer end by receiving the mail to be delivered it will swing outward through the door-opening and deliver the mail at the station and when relieved of the weight of the mail will automatically return within the car to the position shown. by full lines in Fig. 2. The crane consists of an arm 32, wnich is slightly inclined to the horizontal in an upward direction from its inner or pivotal end. A crimp 33 is provided in the arm 32 near its outer end, and the latter is provided with a hook 34, from which the mail-bag or other package to be delivered is suspended. A brace 35 has rigid or firm connection at its outer end with the arm 32, and its inner end is pivoted to the car in any convenient way. The pintle or pivot connec tions of the arm 32 and brace 35 are out of vertical alinement, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 13, the purpose being to cause the crane when unrestrained to swing outward and occupy the position .shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. For holding the crane in normal position, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, suitable means are provided, and in the simplest construction said means consist of a weight 36 and a rope or cord 37, the latter being connected to the outer portion of the arm 32. The weight 36 is just heavy enough to swing the arm 32 inward and is adapted to be overcome by gravitative force exerted by the mail-bag when suspended. from the hook 34 to admit of the arm with the weight of the mail carried thereby, swinging outward. A buifer 38 is carried by the frame and is adapted to strike the side of the car and limit the outward movement of the crane, and the jar thus produced is suhicient to dislodge the mail from the crane, and the latter being released from the weight of the mail-bag returns to normal position by action of the weight 36. The inward movement of the crane 1s limited by means of an arm 39, which is attached to the car and is arranged in the path of the crane, said arm being provided with a casing 40, in whichthe weight 36 moves, so as to be housed and directed in its movements. To prevent the crane from having play or unrestrained movement, the lock device is resorted to, and consists of a pin 41, lever 42, and rod 43, the latter having a portion extended in the path of the carriage, so as to be tripped thereby, whereby the lock-pin 41 is withdrawn from engagement with the crane and the latter permitted to swing outward under the weight of the mail suspended therefrom. The lockpin 41 operates in a socket 44, provided in the arm 39, and is adapted to engage with the crane and hold the same in fixed position until released.

A mail-car equipped with delivery mech anism in accordance with the present invention normally has the carriage at the outer end of the track and the crane projecting into the car and locked and the door closed. If it be required to deliver mail from a station or point along the railway to the train, the trip 19 is set so as to engage with the lever 18, and the mail-bag or other package 29 to be delivered is suspended from the hook 34 in the manner stated. As the train approaches the station the lever 18 is tripped, thereby releasing the weight 13, which drops and sets or throws the engaging device 20 into the path of the hook 21, so that the train after passing the trip will receive the bag or package 29. The carriage thus weighted will gravitate upon the track and carry the mail into the car.' As the carriage begins its inward trip it comes in contact with the part 7 and releases the door, which automatically opens, and a moment later the carriage comes in contact with the lock 33 and presses the same inward, thereby releasing the crane upon the car, and in the event of said crane being weighted by having a mail-bag suspended therefrom it will swing outward through the door-opening and deliver the mail and automatically return by the action of the weight 36. As the carriage reaches the inner end of the track the mailbag is disengaged therefrom by means of a stripper 45, located in the path thereof, and when the carriage is relieved of the weight of the mail it is returned to normal position by the weight 13, which is limited in its descent by the stop 17, the impact of the carriage being compensated for by the buffer 24. When the lever 18 is tripped by the part 19, "the weight 13 descends and throws the engaging device 20 into position to take up the hook 21, and when the carriage moves inward upon the track the weight 13 rises and is enabled to pass by the stop 17 by reason of the rule-joint connection of said stop with the lever 18.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is I 1. In means for delivering mail, the combination of a carriage adapted to receive the mail upon the exterior of the car and to deliver the same upon the interior'of the car, means for holding the carriage upon the exterior of the car in given position and to be overcome by the superior weight or force of the mail taken up by the carriage and to return the latter to normal position when relieved of the weight of the mail. I

2. In means for delivering mail, the combination of an inclined track having a portion arranged exterior to the car and a portion located upon the interior thereof, said track inclining toward the inner or delivery end, a carriage mounted to travel upon said track, and means for normally holding the carriage in given position to receive the mail from a station or point along the railway and overcome by the weight of the mail so received and adapted to return the carriage to normal position after it'has discharged the mail.

3. In means for delivering mail to a moving train, the combination of a track having portions arranged upon opposite sides of a portion of the car at one side of the dooropening and curving around the jamb thereof, said track inclining from its outer end downwardly toward its inner end, a carriage arranged to travel upon said track around and through the door-opening to carry mail from the outside of the car to the inside thereof.

4. In'means for delivering mail to a mov ing car, the combination of an inclined track comprising end' portions located upon opposite sides of a portion of the car at one side of the car-opening and an intermediate portion curving around a jamb of the door-opening and connecting the inner and outer portions of the track, and a carriage adapted to travel upon said track and to receive and support the mail.

5. In means for delivering mail of the character substantially as specified, the combination of a track, a carriage mounted to travel thereon, an engaging device, means for'setting said engaging device, and a trip for releasing the indicating setting means to throw the latter into operative position.

6. In mail-delivering mechanism of the character specified, the combination of a track, a carriage adapted to travel thereon, an engaging device carried by said carriage, means normally holding the engaging device out of operative position, setting mechanism for throwing the engaging device into working position and normally held in restraint, and a tri mechanism for releasing the setting mec anism, whereby the engaging device is thrown into operative position.

7. In mail-delivery mechanism, the combination of a carriage, an indicating device attached thereto and adapted to take up the mail and normally held out of the path of the mail, means for holding the carriage in normal position and adapted to throw the engaging device into operative position, and a trip mechanism for releasing the actuating means for the carriage and engaging device, whereby the latter is thrown into operative position to engage with and take up the mail to be delivered to the moving car.

8. In means for delivering mail from a moving car, the combination of a carriage, an engaging device connected therewith and normally held out of action, actuating means for returning the carriage to normal position and having connection with said engaging device to throw it into operative position, a trip, and a stop pivotally connected with said trip and adapted to hold said actuating means in restraint and when released to admit of the actuating means throwing the engaging device into operative position to take up the mail, whichmail imparts automatic movement to the carriage and overcomes its actuating means.

9. In mechanism of the character specified, the combination of a car provided with a self-opening door, a catch for normally holding the door closed, a carriage adapted to receive the mail to be delivered to the car, and means tripped by said carriage to eifect release of the door to admit of the carriage and mail passing through the opening closed thereby.

10. In means of the character specified, the combination of a car provided with a selfopening door, means for holding the door closed, a carriage, a trip adapted to be operated by the carriage to effect release of the door, and a trip mechanism for settingthe carriage to take up mail from a given polnt or station.-

11. In means for delivering mail, the combination of a crane adapted to swing under the influence of gravitative force resulting from the mail suspended therefrom, and means for returning said crane to normal position and adapted to be overcome by the weight of the mail applied to the crane for delivery.

12. In combination with a mail-car, a crane applied thereto and adapted to swing through the door-opening, and a buffer applied to and carried by the crane to form a stop and limit the outward swinging movement of the crane.

13. In a mail-car, the combination of a crane pivoted thereto and having its axis inclined to the perpendicular, whereby the crane will automatically swing in one direction under the weight of the mail applied thereto for delivery, and means for returning the crane to normal position after release of the weight of the mail.

14. In a mail-car, the combination of a crane pivoted thereto to swing through the door-opening, means for. limiting the swinging movement of the crane in each direction, and means for imparting positive movement to said crane both to swlng it without and within the car.

15. In means for delivering mail substantially as set forth, the combination of a swinging crane mounted upon the car, a lock device for holding the crane in a given position, a carriage, and means adapted to be tripped by the carriage to effect release of the crane to permit free movement thereof.

16. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of a self-opening door, a swinging crane, lock devices for holding the door and crane in given position, a carnage, and means tripped by the carriage to effect release of both the door and crane.

17. In. a mail-car, the combination of a track curving around a jamb of the dooropening and extending upon opposite sides of of a portion of the car, and a carriage ada ted to travel upon said track and composed of sections joined to admit of flexing oi the carriage when passing around the curved portion of the track.

18. In means for delivering mail, the combination of a support for receiving mail to be IIO delivered, a hook connected with the mail, nection with the mail to be sustained by said and spaced fingers extended from said supsupport. 10 port to hold the said hook in given position. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 19. In means for delivering mail, the comin presence of two witnesses. 5 bination of a support, spaced spring-fingers GORDON SOUTHER. [L. s.]

extended therefrom, and a hook adapted to Witnesses: be received between said fingers to be held W. D. CROPPER,

in a given position thereby and having con- 7 W. L. RIDDELL. 

